Hub tire



Feb. 12, 1929.

S. C. HATFIELD HUB TIRE Filed Nbv. 17. 1922 aftotmzu Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

tlhll'lE STATS Fltitt.

SGI-IUYLEB C. HATFIELD, 0F BALTIMORE, IMARYLAND.

HUB TIRE.

Application filed November 17, 1922. Serial No. 801,657.

The present invention relates to elastic or resilient wheels of the type which consists of an outer or spoke section encircling an inner or hub section and spaced therefrom to provide for play in a'radial direction, parts being provided with guiding means which confines the relative motion thereof to a radial plane. The play or relative motion referred to is taken up by a resilient member which occupics the space between the sections and also serves particularly in. the case of rear wheels to transmit the torque from one tothe other.

The invention in the present instance relates particularly to the said resilient member between the sections. In the majority of previous structures of this type, the pad has been of the type known as pneumatic, in the sense that it is inflated with air like a pneumatic tire, and in many ways the pads which have been used resemble pneumatic tires, and they have been in some instances designated as inner or hub tires.

The pad which is the subject of the present invention is preferably of rubber or similar resilient material and is partially hollow containing a number of apertures which are preferably transverse and open to the air so that the pad has extremeresiliency without inflation.

Another feature of the invention consists in the formation of this pad in sections, cut on radial planes passing through the axis of the wheel and placed end to end. This type of pad may be used most conveniently as a spare in that the entire pad is constructed in sections so it maybe conveniently packed in the tool box and used to replace any one of the four pads in the four respective wheels which need not necessarily be of the sectional variety. In fact they may to advantage be pneumatic pads, the non-inflated type being merely for emergencies to bring the vehicle home, or, the invention may be otherwise applied in that all four wheels may be equipped with the sectional pads, a single section being carried for replacement purposes.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated an inner pad or hub tire for resilient wheels embodying my invention in the preferred form.

In the drawings:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of the pad showing the sections assembled, onc-half thereof being removed for convenience of illustration.

Fig. is an elevation of a single pad section of the type shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3, is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig-- ure V Fig. 4i, an elevation similar to Figureil, ofa single pad section ofslightly modified form.

Fig. 5, is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig ure 4.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the annular pad considered as a whole is composed of rubber or similar resilient material of annular shape, the pad as a whole, being indicated by reference character 1, and having an inner peripheral bead 2, preferably of inwardly increasing cross section, see Fig. 3, and an outer peripheral bead 3, of similar shape but oppositely increasing cross section. These beads which are intended to be clamped between suitable holding members on the wheel sections are preferably apertured transversely to receive the bolts or fastening members. In the form of the invention shown, the outer head 3, is apertured or notched parallel to the axis and intermediately of the length of each section at 4, and the inner peripheral bead 2, is likewise apertured transversely at 5, but in the form of the invention shown, and preferably the apertures 5, which are likewise parallel to the axis are so placed that they are at the division or contact planes of the sections. As shown these apertures 5, are bisected by the radial planes of the meeting end surfaces of the sections.

To provide resiliency or to increase the resiliency of the structure, the pad is apertured transversely, the apertures as shown being approximately half the radial width of the pad. These apertures are of various forms. As shown, they consist of circular apertures 6, having their axis extending transversely of the pad, i. e. parallel to the axis. These apertures are placed centrally of the respective sections and elliptical apertures 7, are placed at or between the ends of the respective sections, the length of the ellipse being placed radially of the pad and the aperture extending transversely thereof as aforesaid. While the chambers or apertures thus formed are not inflated, they give the material sufficient freedom to expand and impart to the pad structure a resilience almost equal to that of a pneumatic pad or tire structure when inflated.

Referring now to Figures l and 5, it will be noted that the inner bead indicated by reference character 8, is shown as encased in sheet metal. Thisgives the innerbead, which must resist the excessive torque near the center of the wheel, Inuchadded strength and eliminates any'tendency' to 7 failure at this point,

wheels with the type of pad shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and the rear Wheels with the modified forms shown in Figures 4 and 5.

I have thus described specifically two forms of my invention, in order that the nature and operation of' the same may be clearly under- The stood, however the specific terms herein are used desc'riptivelyrather'than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claim.

What: Iaclain and desirei to secure by Letters Patent is:

Apad to be used between the sections of an elastic wheel, same being of annular shape and'having an inner b ead, and an outer bead, and being formed in a plurality of sections wvhich are placed end'to end to form the (301111 pleted' pad, said sections being apertured transversely to provide resiliency, the said apertures'being substantially half the radial width of the pad, some of them being placed centrallyfoftlie sections and others between theends thereof.

Signed by me at Baltimore, Maryland, I

this 26th day of October, 1922. SGHUYLER' o. VITVIATFIELD. 

